Condenser



Feb. 16, 1932. J. H. SMITH 1,845,539

CONDENSER Original Filed Dec. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-- 4-. ATTORNEY J. SMITH Feb. 16, 1932.

CONDENSER Original Filed Dec. 9, 1929 2 Sheet -Sheet 2 FAQ-.50

FIG. 0

INVENTOR J.H.Smrr1-i.

QJ I M ATTORNEY WITNESS Patented Feb. 16, 1932 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN B. SMITH, or MOUNT VERNON, NEw YORK, assIGNon 'ro wnsirmenonsn Em- TRIO & muracronme comm, a CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA CONDENSER Application filed Deceniber 9, 1929, Serial No. 412,800? Renewed November 18, 1981.

My invention relates to apparatus for condensing gaseous media and particularly to tively large capacity which shall be provided with intermediate tube-supporting sheets so arranged as to permit an unrestricted circulation of the gaseous media within the condenser shell longitudinally of the tube nest as induced by the difference in heat heads obtaining between the cooling water inlet or cold portion of the condenser and the cooling water outlet or-relatively warm portion of the condenser.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser of large capacitywhich shall be so arranged as to provide for the circulation of steam and non-condensable gaseous media longitudinally of the condenser from the warm portion of the cooling tube nest toward the cold portion thereof in order that .proper distribution of the steam may be obtained and maximum cooling of the non-condensable gaseous media effected.

It has for still another object to provide" a condenser of the foregoing character wherein the longitudinal movement of the steam and non-condensable gaseous media from the relatively warm portion of the condenser toward the relatively cold portion thereof-shall assume a path or route so arranged as to insure ample transfer of heat to the tube nest in order that the longitudinally. moving steam may be condensed and in order that the longitudinallymoving non-condensable gaseous media may be cooled.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser of the foregoing character which shall utilize the coldest portion of the tube nest to cool the non-condensablc gaseous media prior to the removal of the same from the condenser.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser of the foregoing character which shall be of the coreless type in that the tube nest shall be so arranged as to embody a longitudinally extending-cavity for the circulation of gaseous media from the relatively warm portion of the tube nest toward the relatively cold portion of the tube nest.

It has for still another-object to provide a condenser of the foregoing character which shall be of the single pass type in that the water flows through the tube nest in a single direction and of the radial flow type in that the steam enters the tube nest from the greater portion of its periphery and the air and noncondensable gaseous media are withdrawn, laterally, from an interior or central portion of the tube nest. 4

These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will be apparent from the following description and claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, in longitudinal sectional elevation, of a single pass condenser arrangedv in accordance with my invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are transverse, sectional views taken on the lines IIII, III-J11 and IVIV of Fig.1, respectively; I

Eig. 5 is a view, in longitudinal sectional elevation, of a two pass condenser constructed in accordance with my invention; and,

Fig. 6 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

In the operation .of steam condensers, it has been well known for many years that the cooling water assumes progressively increasing temperatures as it travels throughthe tubes of the nest from the inlet to the discharge water box. In other words, the portion of the condenser adjacent to where the cooling water enters the same may betermed the cold portion while the portion adjacent to where the cooling water leaves the tube nest may be termed the 'warm portion. As a result of these differences in temperature, difi'erentheat heads prevail within the condenser shell structure, the cold portion of the condenser having a relatively high heat head and the warm portion a relatively lower 7 heat head. This condition is especially pronounced in condensers of the single pass type wherein there is a tendency for the steamto flow longitudinally of the condenser shell in a direction from the outlet water box end of the condenser toward the inlet water box end.

In condensers of large capacities which are necessarily quite long, some means must be provided for supporting the tube nest intermediate of its ends and it has been the practice for many years to provide longitudinally spacedintermediate supporting sheets, which f intermediate supporting sheets prevent sagging or vibration of the condenser tubes. However, such lntermedlate tube supportmg sheets may seriously lnterfere-with the free and natural longitudinal circulation of the 'gases within the condenser shell from the warm end or region of relatively-low heat head to the cold end or region of relatively high heat head. I have, therefore, conceived of a form of condenser which may be manufactured in large capacities and in which the tubes are properly supported by the required number of intermediate tube supporting sheets,-but which, at the same time, is so arranged that the natural. tendency for the steam to flowfrom the warm end to the most effective end, that is, the cold end, is fully utilized to facilitate the heat absorbing process.

In accordance with my invention, I prefer to arrange the tube nest of my condenser so that it embodies a longitudinally extending cavity, which cavity extends through the in termediate tube supporting sheet or sheets and application being assigned to the WestinghouseElectric and Manufacturing Company. In accordance with the foregoing invent1ons, the tube nest is arranged in the form of an annular band so as to provide an internal, longitudinallysextending core space which is devoid of tubes. Such a form of 't-ube nest is preferably, although not neces-.

sarily, employed with condensers of the radiol flow type, that is, condensers wherein the nest of tubes is-substantially surrounded by a steam belt and the gaseous media is drawn radially across the nest removed from an interior portionthereof. I 7

By arranging the condenser in thismanner, the tube nest comprises a relatively thin annular band, the exterior of this thin annular band being exposed to the entering steam and the non-condensable gaseous media being re moved from the core space. As Wlll be apparent, the travel of the steam radially across the relatively thin annular band of tubes is relatively short and hence pressure drop across the condenser is minimized. The gaseous media entering the internal core space is permitted tofreelyflow toward the inlet water box or coldest end of the condenser and, in accordance with my invention, this gaseous media is directed into contact with the cold end of that portion of the tube nest which is adjacent to the core space. In this way, the steam flowing through the core space is condensed, while the non-condensable gaseous media is cooled. By means of such an arrangement, full utilization is made of the cold end of the tube nest and hence such a type of condenser has a greater heat absorbing capacity consistent with its amount of cooling surface, than condensers of the types hereto fore employed.

Referring now to the drawings, I show in Figs. 1 to 4, a condenser having a shell structure 10 provided with an inlet 11 for steam to be condensed and an outlet 12 for condensate. Secured to one end of the shell structure 10 is a tube sheet 13 and to the other end a tube sheet 14. Extending longitudinally between the tubesheets 13 and.14 is a tube nest 15, which tube nest has its outer" perimeter so "formed, as to define, with the interior of the shell structure 10, an intervening steam delivery space 16 surrounding a substantial portion of the tube nest and freely communicating with the inlet 11.

Secured tothe end-tube sheet 13 is an inlet water box 17 having an inlet 17 for supplying coolingwater to'the tubefnest and,.secured to the'tube sheet 14, is a discharge water box 18 having an outlet 18, the embodiment illustrated being of the single pass type and the water boxes 17 and 18 being so arranged as to circulate the cooling water through the tube nest in' a single, longitudinal direction. The tube nest 15 is provided with a longitudinally-extending core space or cavity 19 which is devoid of tubes. This core space is preferably of substantial cross-sectional area in order to provide for free and uninterrupted circulation of gaseous media longitudinallyg through the tube nest. As pointed out in my aforesaid patent, a core space of this character can be provided without materially in creasmg the outer dimensions of the tube nest due to the fact that. the number. of tubes omitted from the core space may be distributed about the periphery of the nest with little increase in the diameter of the latter.

For supporting the tube nest intermediate of the end tube sheets 13'and 14, suitable in-" termediate tube supporting sheet or sheets 21 are provided. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4,

the outer perimeterof each intermediate tube supporting sheet is similar and adjacent to that of the tube nest in order that the surrounding steam delivery space 16 may communicate freely and uninterruptedly with the entire tube nest. The intermediate tubesupporting sheets divide the condenser, longitudinally, into a series of sections, 22, 23,

.24 and 25 of progressively increasing temperatures, the section 22 adjacent the inlet water box 17 being a relatively cold section and the section 25 adjacent the outlet water box being a relatively warm section.- In order the core space 19. they are provided with centrally disposed openings 26. which openings are preferably in alignment with the core space. I

As stated heretofore, the gaseous media travels longitudinally through the core space 19 and. in order that the steam therein may be condensedand the'air and other non-condensable gases cooled, I provide, in one or more of the colder sections of the tube nest, for example; the sections 22 and 23, cooling compartments 27 and 28; In orderto form these compartments, I locate in the core spaces of 'each of the sections 22 and 23,cup-shap'ed 'baflles 29 and 31, which baflles deflect the gaseous media from the corespac-e radially outward into the tube nestsections. The radial limits of these cooling compartments are defined by circular baflies 32 and 33, which bafiles extend about a substantial inner, an-

nular portion of the tube nest. In order that gaseous media from the sections 22 and may enter their associate cooling conipartments. therespective bafiles 32 and 33 are pro vided with substantial, semi-circular openings 33 and34 in their lower halves. Air and non-condensable gaseous media are finally removed from the condenser by means of a conduit 35 preferably extending thro'ughithe in let water box and having its entrant portion 36 disposed in the interior of the bafile 31.

From the foregoing description the opera tion of my invention will be apparent steam to be condensed enters the shell structure 1O throughthe inlet 11 and surrounds the tube nest in the steam delivery space 16.

The steam is drawn radially inward in each of the sections-from the perimeter of the tube nest toward the core space 19'and,,in its pas sage across the tube nest, a considerable portion of the steam is condensed'and falls 'to the bottom of the shell structure from whence it drains to the hot well or outlet 12'. As stated heretofore, the water in the section 22 of the tube nest has a relativelylower temperature than the water in the section 25, hence the heat head prevailing in the section 22 is higher than the heat head prevailing in the section 25. As a result, there is a natural tendency for the gaseous media to flow from therespective sections 23, 24 and 25 toward the coldest section 22.

The gaseous media entering the core space bottom of the shell structure; the opening 34 and wherein additional gaseous media entera condenser of the two pass type which is simition of the gaseous media which is not 'condensed'reenters the core space 19 and is deflected outwardly into the cooling compartment 28 bythe hafllejl. The compartment 28,'heing relatively colder than the compartment 27,- the non-condensable gaseous media are further cooled and are thence withdrawn through the conduit 35. The condensed steam drains through the opening 34 to the also serving to allow gaseous media from the section 22 to enter the cooling compartment 28 direct. 1 v

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have devised a condenser wherein the warmer sections of the tube nest. for example. the sections 24 and 25, are fully utilized ing these sections is permitted to flow to the colder sections, that is, the sections 22 and 23. In other words. the natural tendency for the gaseous media to flow to the region of rela tively high heat head is notinterfered with and hence the coldest sections of the tube nest are fully ut-ilizedl As a result, the'ca pacity of the condenser. as a whole, is materially improved. Furthermore, the gaseous media traveling through the tube nest is subjected to the'successive cooling actions of the compartments 27 and 2S so that the non-condensable gaseous media leaves the condenser at; a temperature closely approaching that of the inlet water box 17.

a In the foregoing embodiment, I have sho a condenser of the single pas type. but it is to be understood thatmy inventionis also ap- .plicable to condensers of the multi-pa$ tvpe;

and, referring now to Figs. 5 and 6. I show lar to that-shown in Figs. 1 to 4 in its essential features. However, in the second embodi ment, an inlet water box 41 for supplying cooling water'to the tube nest 15 and an out- .1

let water box 42 are both located at the same end of thetube nest. Water is supplied to the tube nest through the inlet water box 41, flows longitudinally through the lower por- ,tion of the tube nest and returns through the -'upper 'portion of the tube nestvia a return water box 43,,the .water finally leaving the condenser through the outlet water box 42. J

Preferably,the inlet and outlet water boxes .41 and 42 are farmed in a single, unitary "no st-rueture all as is well known in the art.

As stated heretofore, the cooling compartments 27 and 28 are disposed adjacent to the inlet water box, and hence, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, I so arrange the wall 44 which divides the inlet and outlet water boxes that it curves upwardly in alignment with the baflile 33. By means of such an arrangement, water of the first pass travj.

els through the cooling compartments 27 and 28 and hence the temperature of the gases removed from the condenser is approximately is not entirely surrounded by tubes and that it is also within the purviewof my invention to formthe tube nest with more than one longitudinally extendlng core space or cavity. VVlnle I have shown my invention 111 two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in so the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I \Vhat I claim is: 1. In a condenser, the combination of. a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate. a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure, and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media from the inlet an inlet water box for supplymg cooling water tothe tube nest, an outlet water box for receiving the cooling water discharged by the tube nest, sald tube nest being so formed as to embody a longitudihall v-extending cai'ity having an unrestricted flow-area for affording circulation of gaseous media to a portion of. the shell structure adjacent the. inlet water box, meanscommunicating with the cavity near the inlet water box for removing noncondensed gaseous media from the shell structure, and means embodied in the tube nest adjacent to the inlet waterbox for cooling the air and noncondensed gaseous media prior to the removal of the same from the condenser, said lastmentioned means comprising a wall structure embracing a portion of the tube nest adjacent to the cavity and afbafile for deflecting gaseous media outwardly from-the cavity into said embraced portion of the tube nest.

2. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure, and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media from the inlet an inlet water box for sup plying cooling water to the tube nest, an 1 outlet water box for receiving the cooling water discharged by the tube nest, tube sheets. located at each end and intermediate of the ends of the tube nest for supporting the latter, said intermediate tube supporting sheets being provided with openings of unrestricted.

flow-area and said tube nest being so formed as to embody a longitudinally-extending cav+ ity for affording circulation of gaseous media through the openings in the intermediate tube supporting sheets to a portion of the shell. structure adjacent the inlet water box,

means communicating with the cavity near.

.wall structure embracingva portion of the tube nest adjacent to the cavity and a battle for deflecting gaseous media outwardly from the cavity into said embracedportion of the tube nest.

3. Ina condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and'an outlet for condensate. a hollow nest of tubes disposed within the shell structure and spaced therefrom so that a substantial portion of the outermost tubes of the nest define, with the shell, an arcuatesteam delivery space in connection with said inlet, aninlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and an outlet water box associated withtlie "other end of the tube nest and defining a relatively warm end thereof. said waterboxes providing for the circulation of cooling water in a single, longi tudinal direction through the' tube nest and said hollow tube nest providing a longitudinally-extending core space for the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, means for removingnon-cond-ensed gaseous media from the cold end of said core space, and means arranged within the cold end of the tube nest for cooling the non-condensed gaseous media prior to the removal of the same from the condenser, said last-mentioned means comprising a wall structure embracing a portion of the tube nest adjacent tothe core space and a batlie for deflecting gaseous media outv wardly from the core space into said embraced portion of the tube nest.

4. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure havmg an inlet for gaseous Ill media to be condensed and an outlet for conv densate, a hollow nest of tubes disposed with, in the shell structure and spaced therefrom so that a substantial portion of the outermost tubes of the nest define, with the shell struc ture. an arcuate steam delivery space in connection withsaid inlet, an inlet iwater box associated with one end of the tube nest and defining-a cold end thereof and an outlet longitudinal direction through the tube nest and said hollow tube nest roviding a longitudinally extending core space for the ,circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, tube sheet or sheets disposed intermediate of the ends of the tube nest for supporting the latter, saidintermediate .tube supporting sheets being provided with an opening or openings of substantial flow area disposed in the core space. means for removing non-condensed gaseous media near the cold end of said core space. and means provided in the tube nest near the cold end thereofand adjacent to the core space for cooling the non-condensed gaseous media prior to its removal from the condenser. said last-mentioned means comprising a wall structure embracing a portion of the tube nest adjacent to the core space and a baflle for deflecting gaseous media outwardlv from the core space into said embraced portion of the tube nest.

5. Ina condenser, the combination of a shell structure fhaving an inlet for gaseous I -media. to be condensed and an outlet for condensate. a hollow nest of tubes disposed with in the shell structure and extending longitudinally therethrough. an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest. said water boxes providing for the circulation of cooling water in tube nest. tube sheets located at each end of the tube nest and intermediate of the latter and. dividing the tube nest. longitudinally. into a plurality of sections having progressively increasing temperatures in adirection from the inletwater box toward the outlet water box: said intermediate tube supporting sheets being provided with openings and said hollow nest of tubes forming a core space longitudinal circulation of gaseous media a from the warmer sections ofthe tube nest to the coldest section, a battle structure disposed second bafile structure for directing gaseous. 85 media chamber, and out a single. longitudinal direction through the communicating with said dpe'ningsfor the let means for the removal of gaseous media communicating with the cooling chamber.

6. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate. a hollow nest of tubes disposed With-' in the shell structure and extending longitudinally therethrough, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes providing for the circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the tube nest, tube sheets located at each end of the tube nest and intermediate of the latter and dividing the tube nest,longitudinally, into a plurality of sections having progres-' sively' increasing temperatures in a direction from the inlet water box toward the outlet waterbox. said intermediate tube support-;

ing sheets being provided with openings and said hollow nest of tubes forming a core space communicating with said openings for the longitudinal circulation of gaseous media from -the warmer sections of the tube nest to in a plurality of the coldest sections of the the core space for directing'gaseous media the coldest section, bafile structures disposed tube nest, each of said baflle structures extendfrom the core space through the cooling chambers in series, and means for removing the cooled gaseous media from the cooling chamber in the coldest section of the tube nest.

7. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for steam to be 'condenser and an outlet for condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure, an inlet water box for supplying cooling water'to the tube nest, an outlet water box for receivingt-he cooling water discharged by the tube nest, supporting tube sheets located at each end and intermediate of the endsof the tube nest and dividing the latter, longitudinally.into a. plurality of sections, said intermediate tube supporting sheets beingprovided with openings of unrestricted flow-area and said tube nest being so formed as to embody a longitudinally-extending cavity for 'afiording circulation of gaseous mediav through the openings in the intermediate tube sheets and toward the inlet water box. a cylindrical baflie structure forming a longitudinally-extending cooling chainher in the section of the tube nest adjacent the inlet'water box, said cylindrical bafile structure surrounding a portion of the tube nest adjacent to thecavity and said cylindri-' cal baflie structurehaving an opening in its side remotefrom the steam inlet for the adi mission to the cooling chamber of gaseous media from the portion of the; tube nest disposed outwardly of the cooling chamber, air removal means communicating with'the core space in the section of the tube nest adjacent the inlet water box, and a second bafile structure spaced from the inlet Water box, said second bafllestructure occupying the core space so as to deflect'gaseous media from the core space intothecooling'chamber.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3rd day of December, 1929.

JOHN Hr SMITH. 

